Day 8 Viana – Navarrete – 21km
Today is it fairly obvious that we are near a large city. There can be the sound of traffic from the new motorway and at times you have to cross it on a footpath and go under it by way of underpasses.
The way into Logrono is a slight shock to the senses – being used to walking in open areas away from main cities. However it is a short walk into Logrono unlike Burgos. The route out of Logrono is initially through parkland and shaded with trees, reaching the end of the resovior leaves you about 6 km to Navarrete.
The Camino enters the main part of Logrono over the impressive, though narrow, “Bridge of Stone” and turns right at the end down Rua Vieja. Walking into and out of cities along the Camino are the only times that it is easy to get lost. In the country side the large yellow arrows are easy to see, however the sign posting in the cities is not as clear. Often there may be smaller arrows on the sides of buildings or on trees, though the most common marking is by way of scallop shells on the pavements. It is almost impossible to get lost for long – if you are far off the way locals will stop you and point you in the right direction – the Spanish along the Camino Frances are extremely helpful.
Leaving Logronon it become obvious that you are in La Rioja, the rest of the day is mostly through the vineyards that produce the beautiful wine of this area and leads you into the medieval town of Navarrete.
What to see:
- Pilgrims’ Fountain – Rua Vieja – Logrono
- Church of Santiago el real – Rua Vieja – Logrono
- Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Redonda – Logrono
- Hospital de San Juan de Acre(ruins) – just before Navarrete
- Parish Church of the Assumption – Navarrete
Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logrono